Sunday, November 2, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11-3-14

Head to either blog to find reviews as well as dozens of links to other blogs filled with reviews!

Today midcoast Maine saw quite the little snow storm! No one enjoys the snow as much as our dogs do, but the boy didn't seem to mind it either!

Books I've Recently Read:

Saving Lucas Biggs by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

Harper, 2014

Science Fiction

279 pages

Recommended for grades 5-8

If I wasn't responsible for reviewing as many books per year as I need to for my committee work, I'd start this one over again right now.

This husband and wife author team come from backgrounds of writing for adults and young children, and magic happened when they met in the middle.

A gorgeous story about a young girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her father's life after he is found guilty of arson and murder. The opening of this book is so intriguing-it would be impossible for anyone to read to page four and not want to forge onward.

Love, loyalty, bravery and time-travel merge into a tightly woven story that is full of danger, suspense and the reminder of the strength of friendship.

Throughout my reading of this book I was marking and flagging, preparing to share lines with my students in writing workshop. Absolutely gorgeous writing, one of my top favorites of 2014!

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

Delacorte, 2014

272 pages

Realistic Fiction

Recommended for grades 4-7

Woo-Whoo, this one was a fast paced, fun loving read!

Four adopted boys with two dads, all with wonderfully distinct personalities, assure this house full of guys is never low on action-or humor!

This book will appeal to both boy and girl readers. I loved how each of the boys deals with his own personal troubles in the story, working through them in very believable ways. I listened to the audio version, and the reader did an outstanding job.

Another one of my favorites of 2014!

Half for You and Half for Me by Katherine Govier, illustrated by Sarah Clement

Whitecap, 2014

Poetry/Traditional Literature

182 pages

Recommended for grades 3+

The author has a fondness for the memories these nursery rhymes evoke, and as her mother ages, those memories seem extra important. This book felt to me like a tribute to the author's mother-the woman who shared a love of literacy with her daughter.

Many of the nursery rhymes found here are well known, and some were only vaguely familiar to me. Histories were given for some of the rhymes, but in many cases the histories were speculative. I enjoyed revisiting the rhymes, and I think there is importance in preserving them with our youth.

13 comments:

Snow already?! Ugh! I don't even want to think about it! It snowed a bit here in MI on Friday but only a few flakes and nothing stuck. I don't even want to think about snow sticking on the ground right now. Every winter I question why I still live in a cold state like Michigan. ;)

Thanks, Carrie! Yeah, snow...it's all melted now, but we had a day of fun. Well, not everyone had fun, tons of homes lost power. I just finished Tupelo and couldn't love it any more than I do! You will love, love, love the Fletchers!! I know you will :)

The snow is beautiful! I miss New England... I just checked out Family Fletcher from the library but wasn't sure if I was going to get it read--now I'm definitely planning to. Saving Lucas Briggs sounds excellent--it's one I haven't seen before but will be sure to read by the end of the year. I loved Ghosts of Tupelo Landing and El Deafo. Have a wonderful week!

The snow is gorgeous, and this was heavy, stick to the tress kind, which is so stunning. Though it did cause quite a few problems, being so heavy. I am so happy to share the love for Fletchers and Lucas Biggs, both are wonderful and such different reads.

Loved the photographs as well - snow looks great! I had the same experience when I was in Kazakhstan two weeks back - beautiful snowflakes. :) Half for you and half for me looks great. Been meaning to read El Deafo for a while now. I hope to get to it before year ends.